Oregon head coach Dan Lanning believes two of his top playmakers, quarterback Dante Moore and wide receiver Dakorien Moore, could reshape the Ducks’ culture of excellence.
Speaking on “The Joel Klatt Show,” Lanning praised the pair for their commitment to details that rarely get noticed but often change games.
“The work has made Dante different,” Lanning said. “I think about it myself, like what was I like as a coach when I started coaching? I wasn’t very good. … Things change over time. Dante’s a great example of someone who’s grown over time, learned how to prep and learned the answers to what defenses are doing.”
Moore, who transferred from UCLA after serving as Dillon Gabriel’s backup last season, faced early struggles as a five-star freshman in 2023. He threw 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions, including pick-sixes in three straight games.
Now in his first year leading Oregon, the third-year signal-caller looks transformed. Through three contests in 2025, he has completed 78.1 percent of his throws for 657 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.
The Ducks have reached the end zone on 17 of the 22 drives he has directed, with two more producing field goals.
Also read: Oregon’s Dante Moore compared to C.J. Stroud as NFL Draft buzz grows after 3-0 start
Lanning stresses Oregon’s ever-rising standard
Freshman wideout Dakorien Moore has been one of his biggest weapons. A five-star prospect himself, he has nine catches for 144 yards and a touchdown, along with 42 rushing yards and another score.
While his playmaking has stood out, Lanning emphasized his unselfish impact.
“If you go watch him block in practice, that’s what gets you excited,” Lanning said. “He’s figured out early on that the impact he can make for the team isn’t only when he has the ball.”
Even after a 3-0 start that includes a 34-14 win over Northwestern, Lanning stressed the program’s standards must remain high.
“There’s a standard here at Oregon that we want to play by and we probably didn’t reach that last Saturday,” he said.
Oregon’s early dominance has shown both Moore’s growth and the program’s culture, but Lanning’s message is clear: the bar at Eugene will only keep climbing.